16" factory rims on old dodges

Bill55AZ · Post by **Bill55AZ** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 8:00 pm

I may have solved the dilemma of getting 16" rims on old mopars. Looks like some of the late model 7" wide explorer/ranger rims have 4.5" backspace, if I can believe what I find on ebay. 12mm offset on a 7 inch rim works out to 4.5".
Only problem left might be that Ford center holes are usually a tad smaller than Dodge.
So, the fix would be to ream out the center hole a little.
Would that have to be done on a big lathe? Or are there reaming tools in those sizes?

Website · Post by **wideblock** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 9:28 pm

ranger rims wont fit. been there and done that. the center hole is too small, and the offset is too much. 4.5 inches will rub the steering link in a hard left if you have any decent tire on it. i had 225/75/15's on the ferd rims, they rubbed. more then 4" on back space and you limit your tires size considerably.

Bill55AZ · Post by **Bill55AZ** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 9:45 pm

I tried some jeep steel rims in 7x15" and the steering gear want to wipe off the wheel weights. I figure going to 16 (Jeep Liberty steel rims), or even 17 if Jeep or Ford makes them, will take care of the steering link issues, and with the disc brake hubs I will be using, there is room for a 1/2 spacer and still have the rim riding on the hub.
The ford rims with less backspace than jeep rims should work without spacers, but that is still an option. The only issue left will be the center bore....
Worth a try..if I can find an extra wheel to butcher while I try it out.

Website · Post by **wideblock** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:02 pm

we used a die grinder to bevel the center hole to fit the hub up front. i had 16 after market wheels on my crew cab. 4" back space and 7.5x16 tires. they rubbed the tie rod end just enough to leave a mark on the inside of the tire. rub mark was about 1.5 inches from the rim. youde need a 18 or 20 to clear it right with that much back space

Bill55AZ · Post by **Bill55AZ** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:23 pm

Your trucks are older than my 69 D100, that must be the difference. My tie rod ends are within the diameter of the 15x7" cop car wheels that I have on now. The 15x7" jeep rims I tried were offset enough that the tie rod ends just brushed against the wheel weights.
So just going to a 16" jeep rim would likely work, but I wouldn't like having the wheels that far under the fenders. Looks like on a tight turn the rubber would meet up with the sway bar.

Jonte · Post by **Jonte** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 1:06 am

IÂ´ve got later model 16" factory wheels on my 1970 D200 and it works great. (235-70-16 tires)